1933
Robert
2012
Robert Donald O'Neal
June 9, 1933 — December 14, 2012
Robert Donald “Don” O’Neal, 79, of Amarillo Texas, passed away Friday, December 14, 2012 along with his eldest son, Dr. Kelly Donald O’Neal of Colorado Springs, in a plane crash in Amarillo, Texas. A memorial service will be held for Don on Saturday, January 5, 2012 at 1pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at 4100 South Coulter Street, Amarillo. All of Don’s family and friends are invited to attend. Special pre-mass music will be provided by “Vocal Majority” Quartet.
Don was born on June 9, 1933, in Amarillo, Texas, one of three children to Albert Thomas O’Neal and Clara Barbara O’Neal. Don is survived by his brother, Richard A. O’Neal of Amarillo, his sons David P. O’Neal of Topeka KS and Dr. Kerry M. O’Neal of Topeka KS, his daughters Teri O’Neal Bloomer of Wichita KS and Elaine O’Neal Phillips of Houston TX, ten grandsons, six granddaughters, and several nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy Ann Roberson O’Neal of Amarillo, and his sister Sharon Rose O’Neal of Amarillo.
Don married the love of his life, Dorothy, on December 13, 1952. They enjoyed a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 2002 at the Amarillo Country Club after renewing their wedding vows at St. Thomas the Apostle church. Don worked for Trans World Airlines for 37 years in Amarillo TX, Albuquerque N.M., Oakland, CA, and Overland Park, KS, allowing him and Dorothy to see the world together. Don traveled with President Reagan and his wife Nancy, and Pope John Paul II as part of his duties at TWA. After retiring from TWA, Don joined his brother, Richard, at his Amarillo based company, Great Western Directories in charge of Public Relations and Advertising. He remained there until 2000.
Don loved to sing and sang with many barbershop quartet groups over the years. He was a member of the church choir in every city in which his family lived and treasured his time with the choir at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Amarillo. He loved acting in high school and several community theaters. He and Dorothy joined the Amarillo Little Theater and were a part of several performances both on stage and off. Don loved to play golf with his friends and sons. He played in many TWA and Great Western Directory tournaments. He enjoyed spending time with his friends in Amarillo working out and just meeting for coffee or lunch.
More than anything, Don loved his family. He and Dorothy insisted all five children attain college degrees and he was immensely proud of that. He traveled between the five kids and 16 grandchildren attending as many graduations, soccer games, tennis matches, football games, basketball games, dance competitions, and weddings as possible. He and his son Kelly were in route to join his other children in Dallas to attend a Christmas program by the Vocal Majority Men’s’ Choir when the tragedy occurred.
Don will be remembered as a loving husband and son, devoted father and grandfather, caring brother and uncle, and fun loving, quick witted friend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 4100 South Coulter Street, Amarillo Texas 79109 or the Amarillo Little Theater 2019 Civic Circle, Amarillo Texas 79109
Don was born on June 9, 1933, in Amarillo, Texas, one of three children to Albert Thomas O’Neal and Clara Barbara O’Neal. Don is survived by his brother, Richard A. O’Neal of Amarillo, his sons David P. O’Neal of Topeka KS and Dr. Kerry M. O’Neal of Topeka KS, his daughters Teri O’Neal Bloomer of Wichita KS and Elaine O’Neal Phillips of Houston TX, ten grandsons, six granddaughters, and several nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy Ann Roberson O’Neal of Amarillo, and his sister Sharon Rose O’Neal of Amarillo.
Don married the love of his life, Dorothy, on December 13, 1952. They enjoyed a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 2002 at the Amarillo Country Club after renewing their wedding vows at St. Thomas the Apostle church. Don worked for Trans World Airlines for 37 years in Amarillo TX, Albuquerque N.M., Oakland, CA, and Overland Park, KS, allowing him and Dorothy to see the world together. Don traveled with President Reagan and his wife Nancy, and Pope John Paul II as part of his duties at TWA. After retiring from TWA, Don joined his brother, Richard, at his Amarillo based company, Great Western Directories in charge of Public Relations and Advertising. He remained there until 2000.
Don loved to sing and sang with many barbershop quartet groups over the years. He was a member of the church choir in every city in which his family lived and treasured his time with the choir at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Amarillo. He loved acting in high school and several community theaters. He and Dorothy joined the Amarillo Little Theater and were a part of several performances both on stage and off. Don loved to play golf with his friends and sons. He played in many TWA and Great Western Directory tournaments. He enjoyed spending time with his friends in Amarillo working out and just meeting for coffee or lunch.
More than anything, Don loved his family. He and Dorothy insisted all five children attain college degrees and he was immensely proud of that. He traveled between the five kids and 16 grandchildren attending as many graduations, soccer games, tennis matches, football games, basketball games, dance competitions, and weddings as possible. He and his son Kelly were in route to join his other children in Dallas to attend a Christmas program by the Vocal Majority Men’s’ Choir when the tragedy occurred.
Don will be remembered as a loving husband and son, devoted father and grandfather, caring brother and uncle, and fun loving, quick witted friend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 4100 South Coulter Street, Amarillo Texas 79109 or the Amarillo Little Theater 2019 Civic Circle, Amarillo Texas 79109
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